Co-author Riccardo Gallotti called for stricter regulations on AI to prevent manipulative practices, referencing the European Union's AI Act as a starting point.

Concerns have been raised regarding the potential misuse of AI for manipulation and misinformation, particularly given its ability to personalize content effectively and cheaply.

These findings underscore the urgent need for public awareness regarding the microtargeting capabilities of AI based on personal data available online.

Experts emphasize the importance of understanding human interactions with AI, questioning whether AI can replicate the nuances of human persuasive communication.

Interestingly, participants were able to identify whether their opponent was human or AI in 75% of cases, raising questions about how this awareness might influence their susceptibility to persuasion.

The study also highlighted the risk of AI amplifying hate speech and political propaganda through personalized messaging tailored to individual backgrounds.

The researchers stressed the need for online platforms to recognize the potential threats posed by AI-driven persuasion and to implement protective measures.

A recent study published in the journal Nature Human Behavior reveals that AI systems, such as GPT-4, can be more persuasive than humans in online debates when they have access to personal data about their debate partners.

The study involved 900 participants from the United States engaging in discussions on socio-political issues, including the ban on fossil fuels and the death penalty.

Francesco Salvi, a co-author of the study, emphasized the implications of AI's persuasive capabilities in political campaigns and targeted advertising, particularly its potential to microtarget undecided voters.

Salvi warned that AI could deliver tailored political messages that seem authentic, complicating efforts to trace and regulate such influences.

Despite the structured nature of the debates, which limited spontaneity, the effectiveness of AI in persuasion was evident, demonstrating its ability to tailor arguments based on demographic information.